U.S. patent application number 12/701100 was filed with the patent office on 2011-08-11 for computerized reading learning system.
This patent application is currently assigned to NATIONAL READING STYLES INSTITUTE, INC.. Invention is credited to Marie Carbo.
Application Number | 20110195386 12/701100 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44354009 |
Filed Date | 2011-08-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110195386 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Carbo; Marie |
August 11, 2011 |
COMPUTERIZED READING LEARNING SYSTEM
Abstract
A system and method for providing content to a user such as a
story. The method comprises providing first content to a user from
a processor and providing a first test relating to the first
content to the user. A teacher may provide a second test to the
user based on the first content. The method further comprises
receiving a first response relating to the first test at the
processor; and analyzing the first response at the processor to
determine a reading level for the user. The method further
comprises determining, by the processor, second content based on
the reading level. The second content could be another story. The
processor sends the user the second content.
Inventors: |
Carbo; Marie; (Syosset,
NY) |
Assignee: |
NATIONAL READING STYLES INSTITUTE,
INC.
Syosset
NY
|
Family ID: |
44354009 |
Appl. No.: |
12/701100 |
Filed: |
February 5, 2010 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
434/178 ;
434/323; 434/362; 709/201 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G09B 17/006 20130101;
G09B 7/04 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
434/178 ;
434/362; 434/323; 709/201 |
International
Class: |
G09B 17/00 20060101
G09B017/00; G09B 7/00 20060101 G09B007/00 |
Claims
1. A method for providing content to a user, the method comprising:
providing first content to a user from a processor; providing a
first test relating to the first content to the user; receiving a
first response from the user relating to the first test at the
processor; analyzing the first response at the processor to
determine a reading level for the user; determining, by the
processor, second content based on the reading level; and providing
the user with the second content.
2. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein: the first and second
content is provided to the user on a display.
3. The method as recited in claim 2, wherein the processor is in
communication with the display over a network.
4. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising: providing
a second test to the user relating to the first content; receiving
a second response relating to the second test at the processor; and
the analyzing further comprises analyzing the second response to
determine the reading level.
5. The method as recited in claim 4, wherein the processor receives
the second response from a second user distinct from the first
user.
6. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the reading level is
determined based on a number of correct answers in the first
response.
7. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein: the first response
includes a user ID; and the reading level is determined based on a
number of correct answers by the user in a plurality of first
tests.
8. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the first and second
content comprise stories.
9. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the first content is
provided to the user aurally through a speaker.
10. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the first response is
received from a user interface.
11. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the second content
includes a prize.
12. A system for providing content to a user, the system
comprising: a processor; a memory in communication with the
processor; and a user interface; wherein the processor is effective
to provide first content to a user, provide a first test relating
to the first content to the user, receive a first response from the
user relating to the first test through the user interface; analyze
the first response to determine a reading level for the user;
determine second content based on the reading level by searching in
the memory; and provide the user with the second content from the
memory.
13. The system as recited in claim 12, further comprising a display
in communication with the processor and wherein the first test is
provided to the user by being displayed on the display.
14. The system as recited in claim 12, wherein the processor is in
communication with the display over a network.
15. The system as recited in claim 12, further comprising a speaker
in communication with the processor and wherein the first test is
provided to the user aurally from the speaker.
16. The system as recited in claim 12, wherein: the processor is
further effective to receive a second response relating to a second
test; and the processor is effective to determine the reading level
based on the first and second responses.
17. The system as recited in claim 12, wherein the reading level is
determined based on a number of correct answers in the first
response.
18. The system as recited in claim 12, wherein: the first response
includes a user ID; and the reading level is determined based on a
number of correct answers by the user in a plurality of first
tests.
19. The system as recited in claim 12, wherein the first and second
content comprise stories.
20. A computer readable storage medium having computer-executable
instructions stored thereon which, when executed by a computing
device, adapts the computing device to perform a method for
providing content to a user, the method comprising: providing first
content to a user from a processor; providing a first test relating
to the first content to the user; receiving a first response from
the user relating to the first test at the processor; analyzing the
first response at the processor to determine a reading level for
the user; determining, by the processor, second content based on
the reading level; and providing the user with the second content.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] This disclosure relates to a computerized reading learning
system and, more particularly, to a system effective to move a
student through the process of learning how to read.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] Techniques for teaching students how to read are well known.
Many prior art techniques include providing a student with a story,
asking the student to read the story, and providing questions to
the student relating to the story. The questions may be used to
gauge how well the student read and understood a particular story.
The student's answers may be grouped together to form reports.
Those reports may indicate the types of questions answered
incorrectly and may provide feedback to the student regarding his
or her reading skills. This disclosure relates to an improvement
over these prior art systems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] One embodiment of the invention is a method for providing
content to a user. The method comprises providing first content to
a user from a processor; providing a first test relating to the
first content to the user; and receiving a first response from the
user relating to the first test at the processor. The method
further comprises analyzing the first response at the processor to
determine a reading level for the user; determining, by the
processor, second content based on the reading level; and providing
the user with the second content.
[0006] Another embodiment of the invention is a system for
providing content to a user. The system comprises a processor; a
memory in communication with the processor; and a user interface.
The processor is effective to provide first content to a user,
provide a first test relating to the first content to the user, and
receive a first response from the user relating to the first test
through the user interface. The processor is further effective to
analyze the first response to determine a reading level for the
user; determine second content based on the reading level by
searching in the memory; and provide the user with the second
content from the memory.
[0007] Yet another embodiment of the invention is a computer
readable storage medium having computer-executable instructions
stored thereon which, when executed by a computing device, adapts
the computing device to perform a method for providing content to a
user. The method comprises providing first content to a user from a
processor; providing a first test relating to the first content to
the user; and receiving a first response from the user relating to
the first test at the processor. The method further comprises
analyzing the first response at the processor to determine a
reading level for the user; determining, by the processor, second
content based on the reading level; and providing the user with the
second content.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] The drawings constitute a part of the specification and
include exemplary embodiments of the present invention and
illustrate various objects and features thereof.
[0009] FIG. 1 is a system drawing of a computerized reading
learning system in accordance with an embodiment of the
invention.
[0010] FIG. 2 is a system drawing of a computerized reading
learning system in accordance with an embodiment of the
invention.
[0011] FIG. 3 is a conceptual drawing showing a database that could
be used in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
[0012] FIG. 4 is a flow chart of a process for teaching reading in
accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)
[0013] Various embodiments of the invention are described
hereinafter with reference to the figures. Elements of like
structures or function are represented with like reference numerals
throughout the figures. The figures are only intended to facilitate
the description of the invention or as a limitation on the scope of
the invention. In addition, an aspect described in conjunction with
a particular embodiment of the invention is not necessarily limited
to that embodiment and can be practiced in conjunction with any
other embodiments of the invention.
[0014] Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a system 100 in an
accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. As discussed in
more detail below, in system 100, first content, such as a story,
is provided to a user. The user may read the story, and answer
questions in a test based on the story. A teacher may also give the
student a test based on the story. Based on the responses that the
student gives to the tests, a story of perhaps a different reading
level may be provided to the user.
[0015] System 100 includes a computer 106 in communication with a
student 102, and a teacher 104. Computer 106 is further in
communication with a network 116, such as the Internet or any other
network including, for example, a local area network, a wide area
network, etc. Network 116 is in communication with a server 118,
and server 118 is in communication with a database 120.
[0016] Computer 106 may be, for example, a personal computer
running a WINDOWS operating system, an APPLE computer running a MAC
operating system, a mobile device or computer, etc. Computer 106
may include a display 108 effective to display information and/or
content to user 102, and teacher 104. Computer 106 may also include
a speaker 136 effective to provide audio content to user 102. A
user interface 110, such as a mouse, keyboard, display on a cell
phone, microphone, tablet, etc., is effective to receive
information from user 102 and teacher 104. A processor 112 is
effective to process instructions and is in communication with
display 108, speaker 136, user interface 110 and a memory 114.
Processor 112 is effective to read and process instructions stored
in memory 114. Alternatively, server 118 reads and processes
instructions stored in database 120. Processor 112 and server 118
may each comprise a plurality of processors and/or servers.
Processor 112, or server 118 over network 116 and in conjunction
with processor 112, causes display 108 to display, and/or speaker
136 to provide sound for, first content 122. For example, a browser
on computer 106 may render hypertext markup language documents
stored on server 118. Alternatively, computer 106 may use software
other than a browser to communicate and receive information from
server 118.
[0017] For example, display 108 may be controlled to display and/or
speaker 136 to provide sound for, a story 122 to student 102. Other
types of content may also be displayed or provided to a user such
as a audio content, audio-visual content, etc. Teacher 104 may be
provided with instructions 138 regarding how to test user 102
regarding first story 122. A first test 124 may, for example, be
displayed on display 108, and/or provided aurally from speaker 136.
First test 124 may be based on first content 122. For example,
first test 124 may be a test based on a story 122, such as a set of
multiple choice questions. User 102 may also be provided with a
second test 134 based on first content 122. Second test 134 may be
provided to user 102 by teacher 104 or may be provided aurally to
student 102. Second test 134 may include, for example, teacher 104
grading factors such as words per minute read by student 102 in
story 122, errors in reading words, expressions of the words,
and/or a summary of story 122 provided by student 102. Teacher 104
may generate a grade for each of these factors or may send results
to processor 112/server 118 which, in turn, may grade the factors.
First and second tests 124, 134 may be provided to user 102
visually by display 108, aurally by speaker 136, or in a
combination audio-visual format.
[0018] User 102 reads first story 122 and reviews first test 124
and second test 134. An introduction to first story 122 may be
provided in a different language. For example, first story 122 may
be in English and the introduction may be in Spanish. Referring to
FIG. 2, user 102 then sends to computer 106 first response 128 and
second response 130 which may be answers by student 102 to
questions in tests 124, 134. User 102 may also send a user ID 126
identifying the user. First response 128 and second response 130
may both be sent through, for example, user interface 110 and then
to processor 112 and/or server 118. First and second responses 128,
130 may also be sent to processor 112 and/or server 118 in other
ways such as by teacher 104 postal mailing or electronic mailing
responses 128, 130 to an organization running computer 106.
[0019] First and second responses 128, 130 may be analyzed by
processor 112 and/or server 118. For example processor 112 and/or
server 118 may compare responses 128, 130 to correct answers stored
in memory 114 of database 120 to determine a number of correct
answers to tests 124, 134 produced by user 102 with user ID 126.
Processor 112 and/or server 118 may weigh first responses 128 and
second responses 130 such as by using a table. For example, a
higher weight may be assigned to first responses 128 than to second
responses 130.
[0020] Based on the analyzing, processor 112 and/or server 118
determines a reading level for student 102. For example, the
reading level may be calculated by using a first weight multiplied
by the number of questions answered correct in test 124 plus a
second weight multiplied by a score for test 134. In another
example, if user 102 with a particular user ID 126 achieves a
minimum grade (for example 65%) on a set number of stories at a
first grade level, the user's reading level may be assigned to a
second higher grade level.
[0021] Referring now also to FIG. 4, once processor 112 or server
118 determines a reading level of user 102, processor 112 searches
memory 114 or server 118 searches memory 120 to determine second
content 132 to be provided to user 102. Like first content 122,
second content 132 may be provided to user 102 visually by display
108, aurally by speaker 136 or in any combination. Second content
132 is based on the reading level. For example, second content 132
may come from a pool of stories relating to the determined reading
level. As shown in FIG. 3, memory 114 or database 120 may each
include a database 150 including a reading level 152 and stories
154. As can be seen, a pool or plurality of stories may be
available for each reading level. Moreover, some stories may branch
across more than one interest level. Contents of database 150 may
be altered based on an age of user 102. For example, certain aged
users may be able to skip a story or series of stories in a
particular reading level. Such a user may be assigned a particular
reading level or may be given an option to skip stories in that
level.
[0022] Content 122 and 132 may indicate to user 102 a respective
reading level of the stories so that user 102 may know he is
working on a relatively harder or easier story level (e.g. a
student in the second grade may be told that he is reading a fifth
grade level story). Second content 132 may also include a prize or
a set of points that could be used toward a prize such as other
types of stories. For example, a wild card may be provided so that
the user may be allowed to read a different set or stories or
provided with more choices of stories such as comic books or
chapter books. Stories of a different level than the reading level
of the user may be provided. User 102 may be given the choice to
read these stories purely for pleasure or take a test relating to
these stories that may affect the user's reading level. In this
way, user 102 can be provided with stories of higher and/or lower
reading level depending upon a reading level of user 102.
[0023] When first using system 100, a student 102 may first be
assessed regarding their reading level. For example, two sample
stories may be provided to user 102 along with questions. As the
user provides correct answers to the questions, the user may be
provided with increasingly higher, more difficult level stories.
When user 102 starts to get questions incorrect, teacher 104 may
get involved to help assess student 102. For example, every student
may start at a first grade reading level and then be assessed from
that level. Each student may also be started on a low reading level
story but the story may be on an interest level corresponding to
the user's grade. For example, a fifth grade student may see a
first story that is on a first grade reading level but at a fifth
grade interest level.
[0024] Unlike prior art techniques, a system in accordance with
that disclosed helps move a student through the process of learning
how to read. Prior art systems simply provided reports and graphs
indicating how well students were doing on tests based on stories.
The disclosed system automatically and dynamically provides
students with stories appropriate for their reading level. Stories
may be purposefully chosen to challenge a user. Tests and content
may be provided using various different screen colors and/or
formats such as may be beneficial for students with visual
dyslexia.
[0025] Referring to FIG. 4, there is shown a process which could be
performed in accordance with the disclosure. The process of FIG. 4
could be performed using, for example, system 100 discussed above.
At a step S2, a processor may provide first content to a user. The
first content could be, for example, a story. At step S4, the
processor may provide a first test to the user relating to the
first content. At step S6, a teacher may provide a second test to
the user. At step S8, the processor may receive a first response to
the first test. At step S10, the processor may receive a second
response to the second test.
[0026] At step S12, the processor may analyze the first and second
responses. At step S14, the processor may determine a reading level
of the student. For example, the reading level may be based on a
number of correct answers in the first and second responses and/or
a weight applied to the number of correct answers. At step S16, the
processor may search a database or memory and determine second
content based on the reading level of the user. At step S18, the
second content may be provided to the user.
[0027] While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed
herein, other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those
skilled in the art. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed
herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be
limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the
following claims.
* * * * *